Hamish Taverner

Hamish Taverner.

Hamish Taverner became a Global Messenger because he wanted to be part of a team that promoted the benefits of Special Olympics. He wants to help increase the number of people participating in Special Olympics New Zealand. But the main reason he wanted to be a Global Messenger was so that he could speak up for other people in Special Olympics. “I want to help other people so they can speak up for themselves and on behalf of Special Olympics,” he says.

Hamish trains and competes in swimming and bowling. He attended the Asia Pacific Games in Shanghai and the Special Olympics New Zealand National Summer Games in Hamilton, Auckland, Christchurch and Palmerston North. At the Palmerston North Games, Hamish was the Athlete Spokesperson.

Outside of Special Olympics, Hamish keeps busy with his own lawn mowing business, his part-time job at SAMS and his part-time job as a teacher aide for a high needs primary school boy. For 20 years he has been a committee member on IHC Rangitikei Board and has served in roles around Self Advocacy for IHC/IDEA services, on the SAMS Board and the ASSID Council. He attended the 2000 Inclusion International Conference in Melbourne and a People First conference in Alaska.

Following five years of study, in August 2010 Hamish completed his National Certificate in Human Services Level 4. This certificate qualifies Hamish to work for IDEA services in jobs that help explain to families about resources that are available.

Hamish wants to encourage others to achieve the personal growth and benefits that he has had through Special Olympics New Zealand.